On February 23, 1992, the revolution of the One Day Internationals began with Sri Lanka chasing down a 300-plus whole towards Zimbabwe throughout their match within the 1992 World Cup. Sri Lanka defeated Zimbabwe by three wickets with 4 balls to spare at Pukekura Park, New Plymouth. Sri Lanka grew to become the primary nation to chase down a 300-plus rating in ODIs.
In the previous 29 years, cricket has modified massively. With the inception of T20Is, ODIs are now not the shortest format of the sport, and no targets are secure now with shorter boundaries and broad willows. Since Sri Lanka’s profitable chase towards Zimbabwe within the 1992 World Cup, 47 instances groups have chased previous the 300-plus whole in ODI cricket. South Africa even chased down a 400-plus whole towards Australia in 2006.
Sri Lanka skipper Aravinda de Silva received the toss and put Dave Houghton-led Zimbabwe into bat.
Zimbabwe misplaced Wayne James 17), Andy Pycroft (17) and skipper Houghton (10), however their younger opener Andy Flower stayed agency at one finish. The southpaw went on to attain a artful century (115 off 152 balls). His lock was studded with eight boundaries and one six. The wicketkeeper-batter placed on an 85-run stand with Kevin Arnott (52 off 56 balls; 4×4, 1×6).
The closing flourish in Zimbabwe’s innings was offered by Andy Waller, who smoked a 45-balls 83 with the assistance of 9 4 and three sixes. Waller and Flower have been concerned in an unbeaten 146-run stand for the fifth wicket. For Sri Lanka, Pramodya Wickramasinghe (2/50), and Asanka Gurusinha (2/72) picked up two wickets apiece. Zimbabwe placed on a large whole of 312 for five in 50 overs.
Chasing the huge goal, Sri Lanka have been off to a flier with their openers Roshan Mahanama (59 off 189 balls; 4×4) and Athula Samarasekera (75 off 61 balls; 11×4, 1×6) placed on 128 runs for the primary wicket. The openers set the platform for the Islanders however they misplaced wickets in common intervals and at one stage have been reeling at 167 for 4.
Arjuna Ranatunga (88 not out off 61 balls; 9×4, 1×6) was joined by a younger Sanath Jayasuriya (32 off 23 balls; 2×4, 2×6), who 4 years down the road will stamp Sri Lanka’s authority within the ODI cricket, and can change into one of many biggest openers of the modern-day cricket. The duo was concerned in a brisk 45-runs stand for the fifth wicket.
Once Jayasuriya was gone, Ranatunga modified the gears and placed on a few priceless partnerships with Hasan Tilakaratne (18 off 12 balls; 1×4, 1×6) and Ruwan Kalpage (11 off 14 balls; 1×4). Ranatunga steered his group dwelling with three wickets within the hut and 4 balls to spare.
Andy Flower was adjudged as participant of the match for his magnificent century however the seeds of change in ODIs cricket began from this match. Four years later, Arjuna Ranatunga-led Sri Lanka will defeat Australia by seven wickets within the 1996 World Cup closing on the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Pakistan.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
